country bumpkin

In a courtyard in Kongjia Village, Yunya led the way, followed by Caixia, Jianjun, Xiangyang, and Jianguo.

Opposite them was Xiang Hong. She lunged forward to grab the people behind her, but Yun Ya stood in front, protecting her chicks like a mother hen.

That's right, they're playing "Eagle Catches Chicks." Ever since Xiang Hong and Xiang Yang came back to play with Yun Ya that day, they've been coming here every day.

The children were having so much fun that they didn't want to come home for dinner. It was only when the adults called them that they remembered they were hungry.

Sometimes they would eat at Yunya's house. Kong Jianjun and Jianguo, the two brothers, would never go back for meals; they would always eat at their grandmother's house.

One night, Xiang Hong and Xiang Yang were so engrossed in watching TV that they didn't go home until 9 p.m.

Their uncle, Li Fugui, went to town the next day and bought a television set. It was a 17-inch color television set, and it cost a full 2000 yuan.

When Kong Xiufang got engaged, she bought a 14-inch black and white TV for only 300 yuan.

With the arrival of the color TV, the children all went to Li Fugui's house to watch television. Because the Lunar New Year was approaching, two more transformers were installed in the village.

Unlike in the summer, when the power would go out every two hours and sometimes not be restored all night, now there are basically no power outages.

In the evening, the whole family would sit around the TV, chatting and laughing, discussing the exciting plot on the screen.

…………

The day after Kong Xiufang returned was the 27th of the twelfth lunar month. Mu Shuyun didn't cook breakfast; instead, she started boiling pork bone broth. The broth was needed to make the noodles for the stir-fried vegetables.

Last night, Kong Xiufang and Mu Shuyun had already prepared the shredded meat, minced radish, chopped green onions, and minced ginger.

Now let the cooked bone broth cool down for a while before you start making the dough. Add the shredded meat, minced ginger, minced scallions, Sichuan peppercorn powder, and other seasonings to the bowl along with the flour.

The dough kneading was finished in just a few minutes; I'll set it aside and use it later. Yunya didn't help with the fire today.

Because they had two more good friends, plus Jian Guojianjun and Cai Xia, they basically went crazy with fun.

Kong Xiufang and Mu Shuyun, mother and daughter, each had their own tasks: Kong Xiufang fried meatballs and rapeseed, while Mu Shuyun tended the fire and did odd jobs.

Kong Tongming became even busier, returning home long after dark every day. Villagers who were usually reluctant to buy meat would start buying some at the end of the year.

Kong Xiangyao spent his days either visiting friends and having gatherings or wandering around town with Li Fugui.

Kong Xiangdong also goes to the market every day to earn money. Zhou Caiyun stays at home to take care of the children, cook, and do laundry.

Qingsheng is already three months old, which makes things much easier than before. We only need to clean the boils at night; during the day, the adults take her to the toilet. Zhou Caiyun doesn't need to clean the boils as much anymore.

Now, if you give him a rattle, he can shake it and play by himself, listening to the sound. Now, if there's anything around him, he'll grab it and put it in his mouth.

Zhou Caiyun bought a few calcium milk biscuits and kept them at home. When she had chores to do, she would put Qingsheng at the very back of the bed, surround it with blankets, and leave some biscuits for him to grab and play with.

This way, he can practice his dexterity and also eat something, otherwise, relying on breast milk alone won't satisfy his hunger.

It was the end of the year, but Mu Shuyun still left the mongrel with Zhou Caiyun. Having a dog in the house would deter thieves from coming in and doing bad things.

Mu Shuyun decided to get a puppy and keep it at the old house. It could help guard the house at night. Having a dog in the house would give people peace of mind.

Kong Xiangguang has been visiting the old house frequently lately. His master craftsman is getting old, and business isn't good. The old master craftsman himself doesn't want to continue and is planning to sell the carpentry shop.

But his carpentry shop was connected to his house. It wouldn't be easy to sell, he asked Kong Xiangguang.

“Xiangguang, I don’t want to work in this carpentry shop anymore. First, I’m getting old and my vision can’t keep up with the styles of the new era. Second, I’ve been a carpenter all my life and I’m tired of it. I want to change my way of life.”

Kong Xiangguang asked, "Master, are you planning to close down and quit?" The old master nodded, indicating that he was right.

Kong Xiangguang said, "Master, this shop is the culmination of your life's work. Why don't you close it down and I'll take it over and run it myself."

The old craftsman's eyes lit up with delight as he said, "Really? You want to take it?"

Kong Xiangguang said, "Yes, I really like carpentry and I want to make things more convenient for the people in the village. If they need to get a stool or table repaired, they'll have a place to come."

The old master craftsman said happily, "Great, that's wonderful. Now I won't feel sorry for this shop."

Kong Xiangguang then said, "Master, how about I rent it for you for 50 yuan a month?"

The old craftsman waved his hand: "Oh! No need, you can work here. It's the ancestral home anyway, it won't cost you anything."

Kong Xiangguang refused, saying, "No, Master, you have to take this money, otherwise I won't feel comfortable. If not, I'll go look at other storefronts."

The old man glared at him: "You brat, I'd like to see who on this street would dare to rent a shop to you. Don't try to act all high and mighty. If you want to look for a shop elsewhere, don't even think about it. You'll stay here with me and continue to do good for the villagers."

Kong Xiangguang felt that he couldn't look for storefronts elsewhere. Otherwise, his relationship with his master would become increasingly distant.

He could only change his words and say, "Master, I can't stay in your house for nothing. How much money do you think is appropriate?"

The experienced craftsman said, "Then it'll be 10 yuan!"

Kong Xiangguang immediately shook his head, "That won't do. What can you do with so little? There aren't any storefronts this cheap on this street!"

Kong Xiangguang then said, "How about I give you 30 yuan?"

The master craftsman said, "Oh dear! This won't do either! It'll be 20 yuan. I won't change it, and you shouldn't add any more. Just leave it like this, or I won't acknowledge you as my apprentice."

Kong Xiangguang said gratefully, "Okay, I'll do as you say, Master. 20 yuan it is!"

The master then smiled and said, "That's right. If you listen to your master, you'll still be my good apprentice."

The father and son looked at each other and burst into laughter. The master's wife prepared a table full of food and wine, and Kong Xiangguang ate at his master's house before returning home.

When Kong Xiangguang got home that evening, he told Wang Cuihua about renting the shop. This time, Wang Cuihua was very easy to talk to and didn't cause any trouble or make a scene.

She always felt that her husband had already mastered the craft, and the old master's salary was too low.

Now that her husband is his own boss, he definitely pays more than the old master paid him.

She wouldn't stop such a good thing. She'd be a boss's wife someday. Just thinking about it made her feel proud.

So she was very supportive of this. She also asked about the price; it was only 20 yuan a month, while the rent for any storefront outside would be 50 yuan a month!

They really got a great deal.

Kong Chunhua went to where she hid her money, took out 60 yuan, and handed it to Kong Xiangguang.

He said, "Here, this is three months' rent. Take it first. See how business is after three months. If it's not good, we'll rent somewhere else."

Kong Xiangguang was furious after hearing this. He was about to scold his wife when he collapsed onto the bed.

But it terrified Wang Cuihua.